There are several reasons why your Pell City Dental dentist might recommend having a tooth extracted. It could be to treat a severely damaged tooth or one that has been excessively compromised by untreated tooth decay. At the same time wisdom teeth often need to be extracted to prevent pain and future complications.
After the extraction, Dr. Scott Barnett will likely provide you with a prescription for anti-inflammatory or other pain management medications. If untreated tooth decay caused an infection in your gums, he might also include a prescription for antibiotics.
It’s important to maintain the health and integrity of the incision site. You shouldn’t be alarmed if your gums bleed a little for the first few days. When this happens you can control the bleeding by lightly biting down on a rolled up piece of sterile gauze.
After the bleeding stops, you can clear your mouth by lightly rinsing with a little lukewarm salt water. You should never use something harsh like antiseptic mouthwash as this could irritate the tender periodontal tissues.
It’s also worth noting that tobacco use can severely irritate the incision site. It’s best to abstain from all forms of tobacco use while your gums are healing. This will speed the healing process and help prevent an infection.
If you are in the Pell City, Alabama area and you need further insights on maintaining gum health after a tooth extraction, you can call 205-473-0044 to speak to a staff member at Pell City Dental.
